California classic car owners: Read this now

[MSD]

http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?ID=33264

The Final Stand: California Emissions Exemption Repeal Bill Moves to Governor for Signature or Veto

On Friday (Aug. 27), the California Legislature approved A.B. 2683 with damaging amendments. A.B. 2683 is the legislation that would repeal the state’s current rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older. The bill repeals the current pro-hobbyist exemption and replaces it with a law requiring the PERMANENT testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles. The amendments do not protect car collectors and are being opposed by SEMA and the major car clubs and organizations in California. The bill is now in the hands of the Governor who can choose to veto it or sign it into law.

We Urge You to Contact Governor Schwarzenegger IMMEDIATELY to Request His Veto of A.B. 2683!

The Governor may be reached at:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

To send an Electronic Mail please visit:

http://www.govmail.ca.gov

The bill requires the following:
Require vehicles of the post 1975 model year insured as collector cars (driven only to parades, exhibitions, etc.) and at least 35-years old to continue in the Smog Check program for the duration of the vehicle’s life.
Revise the Smog Check testing regimen for these qualifying vehicles to include a tailpipe test, functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks. The vehicle would be forced to comply with the exhaust emissions standards for the vehicle’s class and model year as prescribed by California regulators.

Despite assurances from the bill’s sponsors that a good faith effort would be made to address hobbyist concerns, this bill continues to betray the trust of the collector car community. There is nothing that differentiates a 1975 from a 1976 vehicle requiring one be accorded a lifetime exemption while the other is not. Further, with regulators having proposed yearly testing of these older vehicles, this bill could be far costlier and even more burdensome to vehicle collectors in the future. In addition, regulators could set emissions standards to any level that suits their purposes in order to ensure inspection failures of these 1976 and later model cars. Finally, nothing in this bill would stop regulators from bringing 1975 and older vehicles back into the Smog Check program at a later date.

The truth remains the same:
California’s current law recognizes the minimal impact of vehicles 30-years old and older on vehicle emissions and air quality.
Vehicles 30-years old and older still constitute a minuscule portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.
Antique and classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven (a fraction of the miles each year as a new vehicle).
Legislators, regulators and stationary source polluters are feeling the heat from a failed effort to meet air quality goals and are looking for a convenient scapegoat, using false data and inflated annual mileage assumptions to further their case. The old car hobby should not carry the burden of their mistakes!

Just spreading the word. Good luck to all of you.

[merkerguitars]

Damn that would really screw up things for anybody that loves old cars.....I would hope he would veto it....think of it...it's hard to keep a vehicle up to emissions for cheap. Plus I don't think there would be that many old vehicle that would make a huge impact on the enviroment.

[Supple Cow]

Good thing I'm still too young and poor to own one. I suppose in about 20 years, I might be bitter about this.

[Mondak]

Encinitas
Rods & Woodies Classic Car Show
Third Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Rods & Woodies is the newest addition to the classic car show rotation. Unlike the other weekly shows, this one is held only on the third Thursday of each month through the summer (for 2004: July 15, August 19 and Sept. 16). But the cool thing is you get to see classic woodies in a true beach town setting. More info: Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association at (760) 943-1950.

Maybe this would be a good place to get some support for this. Here is a link to some more (basic) details.
http://www.encinitas101.com/classic.htm

I am going to go and snap some pictures and maybe drink a beer at the saloon at some point. If anyone wants to meet me there (informal TFP get together?) PM me. I will be there early with my wife and my camera.

[gtracer]

I was really upset when i heard that all of the incredible vehicles produced in 1976 would no longer be exempt.....
ok maybe not. Honestly missing out on cars from the 70's/early 80's wont be much of a big deal for me. The classic cars i'll go after were made before that. BUT, it sets a precedence, so that when say...5.0 Mustangs and the like start hitting the 30 year mark, i'll care then.
Arnold drivers Hummers, he'll do the right thing

[smooth]

Originally Posted by gtracer

I was really upset when i heard that all of the incredible vehicles produced in 1976 would no longer be exempt.....
ok maybe not. Honestly missing out on cars from the 70's/early 80's wont be much of a big deal for me. The classic cars i'll go after were made before that. BUT, it sets a precedence, so that when say...5.0 Mustangs and the like start hitting the 30 year mark, i'll care then.
Arnold drivers Hummers, he'll do the right thing

That's what I was thinking, too. Drive your 65 Impala and I've got your back, but shit come on, down with the beaters!